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Manchester's Hope Mill Theatre's production of Rent has been rescheduled.

A brand new production will be directed by Luke Sheppard who previously helmed Hope Mill's 2018 run of Spring Awakening.

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Originally due to run Friday 31st July to Sunday 30th August 2020, performances have been shifted to 30 October to 13th December 2020 due to the ongoing theatre closures.

William Whelton, executive director of Hope Mill Theatre, said: “These are extremely difficult and unsettling times for our industry and there is still a lot more clarity needed for venues.

“It is still unknown whether or not we will be able to open later this year, but we are staying hopeful and positive that we will be able to. As such, we must continue to look ahead and make plans. If we can reopen, it is vital that we have content to present – and I know this will be an incredible production.

“We will be making sure our audiences, staff, cast and production team feel safe and confident to be able to attend and work in the venue and we are planning at the moment for every eventuality, including the continuation of social distancing and making sure that all necessary risk assessments have been carried out.

“If we feel at any point that it is not safe or economic to reopen then we will review this decision. It would also be irresponsible for us to not anticipate a further postponement of this production in the current climate.”

Director Luke Sheppard added: “When the time is right, we are more committed than ever before to bringing Rent to the Hope Mill Theatre. The strong themes of love and hope that drive the piece have never felt more vital. The production we have planned will be a celebration of what it means to experience live theatre, and I look forward daily to sitting in this amazing space on opening night.”

Joining Sheppard on the creative time will be choreographer Tom Jackson Greaves, musical director Katy Richardson, set and costume designer David Woodhead, lighting designer Howard Hudson and sound designer Paul Gatehouse with casting by Pearson Casting.

Loosely based on Puccini’s opera La Bohème, rock musical Rent features music, lyrics, and book by Jonathan Larson and tells the story of a group of impoverished young artists living, loving and working in Manhattan’s East Village, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS.

Since its first premie Off-Broadway in 1996, the show has enjoyed countless productions across the world including four separate West End runs.